From fending off B.O. to peely feet - these are the 12 unsexy tips and products our beauty team swears by

Digital Beauty Editor, Aleesha Badkar: "Okay, spoiler alert: I actually use this acid for pretty much everything (as you will see reading the rest of this piece), but The Ordinary's Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner is my go-to here. It might seem odd, but a large cotton pad swiped under each arm once a day has become one of my most-used products. It keeps things smelling fresher for longer and seems to help my natural deodorant actually do its job. The unexpected bonus is that it's gradually faded years of hyperpigmentation in that area too, leaving skin noticeably brighter and more even."

Digital Beauty Writer, Naomi Jamieson: "Feet are always a bit of an iffy subject, but I think we can all agree that soft soles definitely beat dry and peely ones, and this handy tool helped me keep the latter at bay this summer. It comes with a couple of filing attachments, which gently buff away rough skin. I actually prefer not to get my feet out if I can help it, but the many, many heatwaves did force me into flip-flops, so I focused this tool around the balls of my feet and the sides of my toes and heels (so, all the areas a flip-flop might expose) and found it did a great job of buzzing away stubborn texture. Personally, I tend to use it in the evening and before a bath, where I can exfoliate any residue away with a loofah - and then chase it with a good layer of foot cream, the L'Occitane Shea one, to be exact."

Digital Beauty Writer, Sennen Prickett: "Now, I’m already very particular about my sleeping routine, with a blackout eye mask, my fan on and a podcast playing. But every now and then I make myself look even more terrifying by wearing a Biodance Bio Collagen-Real Deep Mask. Designed to be left on for a minimum of 3-4 hours, or until it turns transparent, it just makes sense to leave it on as I catch my Zzz’s for minimal disruption. Speaking of which, despite what you might think, this mask boasts a firm grip that ensures it stays in place all night long – take it from someone who tosses and turns a lot. While it doesn’t look the most glamorous, the effects the next day are always worth it. I always wake up with the mask completely clear, dried down and in place, before removing it to reveal hydrated, plump and radiant skin."

Aleesha: "I've come to rely on a holy grail combo of a foot peel mask followed by a foot scraper, and I will never go back. This is truly my favourite at-home pedicure hack, hands down. I start with Sephora's Intense Hydration Infused Foot Mask Socks, and once the skin's had time to loosen, I go over with a foot scraper. All the dead, hard skin lifts away almost effortlessly, leaving just soft, fresh skin underneath - no digging or scrubbing required. I keep on top of it a few times a week with The Ordinary's Glycolic Acid too, which helps maintain the results between treatments. Feet feel genuinely baby-soft for weeks."

Naomi: "Sudocrem and I go way back. I can remember slathering it on every pimple, graze and rash growing up, and it's something I still keep in my bathroom cabinet, though I do use it mainly as a spot treatment these days. I'm prone to hormonal breakouts around my chin and jaw, which is when I tap good ol' Sudocrem in, adding small blobs to each spot, almost like a spot patch, but with cream. I do tend to do this before bed, lest I have to answer the door covered in my white dots, but needs must under dire volcano-esque pimple situations. It features zinc oxide, which helps to protect the skin and dry out those very juicy-looking spots (apologies for describing it like that). It also has antiseptic properties and a mild anaesthetic, which can really help soothe those sore under-the-skin spots. All the while being quite gentle, as it's mainly designed for a baby's skin to prevent and heal nappy rash."

Sennnen: "This peel-off eyebrow tint is one of my most repurchased beauty buys of all time. I’ve gone through countless tubes of it, which is not a surprise as I apply it weekly. Simply brush the formula onto your brows and let it dry (in as little as 20 minutes) before peeling it off – simple! The drying time can make you look a tiny bit scary. I must admit my postman has seen me with this tint on one too many times that he doesn’t even have a reaction anymore, however, the results are so worth it. It works to fill in any sparse gaps, meaning I can roll out of bed with brows that don’t need any attention. £13 for salon-worthy brows? Sign me up."

Naomi: "Expensive and somewhat terrifying when you catch a glimpse of yourself wearing it, but so worth it. I've noticed such a difference in my skin since adding a red light mask into my weekly routine. I started using it after experiencing quite consistent breakouts, followed by scarring and now after months of consistent use, my complexion has genuinely never looked better. It's glowy, soft and all the stubborn marks left behind from past blemishes have faded. I will say though, I don't love the process. The thick rubber isn't the comfiest thing in the world and during the heatwave I did look like a bit of a sweaty mess after the 10-minutes were up. I do also get laughed at when I wear it around the house and my cat won't come near me until I take it off, but like I said, it's all worth it in the end. There are also definitely cheaper alternatives out there, but this is the one I have and use two to three times a week."

Sennen: "Without sharing too many gory details, my feet have been feeling the effects of the summer – from in and out of the pool on holiday to kicking my heels off and dancing barefoot at weddings. So, being dry and rough in texture, I made it my mission to revive my baby-soft feet. Enter, The Inkey List’s Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Body Stick. I already love this multitasking formula for healing body breakouts and minimising the appearance of KP, but it also does a stellar job at smoothing and brightening the skin. A swipe of this onto the soles of my feet before I go to sleep has improved the smoothness, softness and texture of my feet in no time at all. Take it from me, this stick is one of the best-kept secrets in the beauty world."

Aleesha: "Okay this one is a bit out there, but trust me when I say, it has pretty much cured my recurring boils - and it's all because of a little-known surgical skin wash called Hibiscrub (or Hibiwash). It's a chlorhexidine-based antiseptic skin cleanser, usually used in hospitals to reduce bacteria on skin before surgery - not exactly your typical beauty buy - but it's become a bit of a cult product for helping with recurring boils and ingrown-hair-prone areas. I use it on my bikini line to keep things fresh and calm, and I'll also use it under my arms occasionally for a deeper clean alongside The Ordinary's Glycolic Acid. On my bikini area specifically, that same glycolic acid helps brighten dark patches of skin and keep ingrown hairs from creeping back."

Naomi: "While I wouldn't necessarily class this as 'unsexy' per se, you probably wouldn't want to venture outside of the house immediately after applying this lip liner stain. It's slightly scary when you first apply it because it almost looks as though you're applying blood around your mouth; such is its tint and texture. You do also have to be quite careful with your application, as a wobble can spell disaster, but once you have the knack, you have the key to a long-lasting lip look in your hands. I have the shade 'Main Character ', which is a soft mauve shade, and I apply it at the start of my makeup routine because it needs about 15-minutes to dry and leave a good stain. Then you simply peel it off and top with your tinted lip balm or lipstick. I find it lasts for hours, and you can also layer it up for a bolder line."

Aleesha: "I know how this sounds, but hear me out - I brush my lips with a toothbrush. Once or twice a week, I slather on something nourishing (like my go-to lip balm, Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream) and then gently go over my lips with a soft-bristle toothbrush. I'd never do this dry, but with a barrier of balm underneath, it works as a gentle lip exfoliator, buffing away the flaky bits and that slightly greyish tinge lips can get over time. The result is genuinely plumper, softer, brighter-looking lips - no tweakments required."

Naomi: "Whether you want to freshen up on-the-go after a long, hot and sweaty day or need a quick solution to a shower, these Freshwipes are a great essential to have on hand. I love having a pack in my bag, even just to wipe down my hands (especially when using the tube and so on), and in case my deodorant decides to fail on me after a particularly stressful, hot and busy day and I need to dash into the toilet for a quick pit wipe-down and deo reapply. If you're heading on holiday or to a festival, these are also a great buy. I recommend the Coconut Breeze Body Wipes, which work to remove odour-causing bacteria, whilst leaving behind a soft coconut and vanilla scent. These wipes are also dermatologically tested for sensitive skin and 100% biodegradable - all for under-£6."

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